The World Bank has approved a $1.08 billion financing package for Nigeria to improve basic education, fight malnutrition, and strengthen community resilience programs.
The funds are expected to support millions of vulnerable Nigerians facing the combined effects of weak economic conditions and recent policy adjustments.
The package includes $500 million for the HOPE-EDU program, $80 million for the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria initiative, and $500 million in additional financing for the Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus program.
These interventions are aimed at boosting human capital development and supporting communities affected by economic reforms.
The HOPE-EDU program will focus on improving foundational literacy and numeracy among children across Nigeria. The program is expected to benefit 29 million children, 500,000 teachers, and over 65,000 schools. It will address overcrowded classrooms, poor learning outcomes, and gaps in teacher capacity.
The nutrition component, ANRIN 2.0, will target pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children under the age of five.
The $80 million support will strengthen primary healthcare services and improve access to quality nutrition, particularly for vulnerable households.
The NG-CARES program will receive additional funding to continue providing social transfers, grants for small businesses, food security interventions, and labor-based public works.
The program has already reached over 15 million people and will now expand to cover more communities across the country.
Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, said the financing will help Nigeria improve basic services and protect vulnerable groups during a period of economic adjustment.
He noted that these programs are essential to reducing poverty, improving human development indicators, and strengthening Nigeria’s long-term growth prospects.
The World Bank emphasized that the new financing will help Nigeria address learning poverty, reduce malnutrition, and build more resilient communities.
The Bank also highlighted that these programs align with Nigeria’s National Development Plan and ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for citizens.
The approval comes as Nigeria continues to navigate challenges such as inflation, food insecurity, and foreign exchange volatility.
The World Bank expects the programs to support the government’s broader objectives of improving human capital outcomes and sustaining economic recovery.
